Tennis Ball Retrieving Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tennis ball retrieving apparatus includes a storage tube, a ball capturing system, a release cap, and a shoulder strap. The intake tube and the release cap are oppositely positioned from each other along the storage tube, where the ball capturing system is connected with the storage tube and the release cap is removably attached with the storage tube. The user can utilize the tennis ball retrieving apparatus to collect tennis balls as the tennis balls are collected through the ball capturing system and stored within the storage tube. The release cap allows the users to unload the tennis balls from the storage tube once the storage tube is filled with the tennis balls. The shoulder strap is connected with storage tube so that the tennis ball retrieving apparatus can be easily transported by the users.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/811,963 filed on April 15, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for a sporting goods device. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus for retrieval of tennis balls during recreational activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The concept of tennis ball retrieval tube is a new type of accessory for tennis players, coaches, and anyone wanting to pick up tennis balls on the court without bending over. This saves time and effort and enhances comfort by minimizing stress on the back, legs, and joints. Currently, there are other tennis ball retrieving devices on the market that are quite stressful to the wrist, elbow, and arm. These existing devices utilize a rubber-insert as the intake mechanism so that the tennis balls can be collected through the rubber-insert. In general, the intake mechanism of the existing devices creates much more wear and tear on tennis balls especially when it is new and later on it becomes an unreliable device as the worn out rubber fails to keep retrieved tennis balls inside the tube.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to introduce a durable tennis ball retrieving apparatus that can be easily used to compare different existing devices. The main advantage of the present invention is the durability of the tennis ball retrieving apparatus as the present invention comprises a unique ball capturing system. A release cap of the present invention allows the users to easily unload the tennis balls from the present invention as the release cap is removably attached with the present invention opposite of the ball capturing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the tennis balls are not visible to the outside through the storage tube of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the tennis balls are visible to the outside through the storage tube of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the storage tube of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ball capturing system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the ball capturing system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the ball capturing system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the ball capturing system of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the ball capturing system taken along line A-A of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the release cap of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the release cap of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the release cap of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of the release cap taken along line A-A of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the present invention without the shoulder strap, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a cross section view of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the simplified embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the present invention is a tennis ball retrieving apparatus that comprises a storage tube 1, a ball capturing system 4, and a release cap 9. The present invention is ideally used within a tennis court when a number of tennis balls have accumulated on the court. The present invention is able to retrieve a plurality of tennis balls, where the number of tennis balls fits within the present invention is determined by the overall length of the present invention. The ball capturing system 4 is concentrically connected with the storage tube 1 from one end, and the release cap 9 is concentrically and removably attached with the storage tube 1 opposite of the ball capturing system 4.

In reference to FIG. 4, the storage tube 1 comprises a first end 2 and a second end 3, where the first end 2 is oppositely positioned from the second end 3 along the storage tube 1. The storage tube 1 is preferably made into a cylindrical shape with a specific diameter so that the present invention is able to linearly align the tennis balls within the storage tube 1. The storage tube 1 can be made from durable and light-weight materials such as opaque plastic, transparent plastic, flexible plastic, or any other preferable materials. For example, the storage tube 1 shown in FIG. 1 is made from opaque plastic so that the tennis balls cannot be seen from the outside of the present invention; however the storage tube 1 shown in FIG. 2 is made from transparent plastic so that the tennis balls can be seen from outside of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 5-FIG. 9, the ball capturing system 4 that receives and collects the tennis balls comprises a first edge 5, a second edge 6, an inner sleeve rim 7, and a pair of retaining wires 8. The ball capturing system 4 is preferably made into a cylindrical shape, where the diameter of the ball capturing system 4 is slightly larger than the diameter of the storage tube 1 so that the ball capturing system 4 is able to connect with the storage tube 1. The ball capturing system 4 is preferably made from high strength and light-weight materials such as plastic, metal, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) so that the ball capturing system 4 is able to withstand the constant pressure applied from the intake process of the tennis balls. The first edge 5 and the second edge 6 are oppositely positioned from each other along the ball capturing system 4 as the first edge 5 and the second edge 6 are concentrically positioned with each other. More specifically, the ball capturing system 4 linearly extends in between the first edge 5 and the second edge 6. The inner sleeve rim 7 is internally traversed into the ball capturing system 4 from the second edge 6, where the inner sleeve rim 7 is concentrically positioned with the second edge 6. In reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the inner sleeve rim 7 allows the ball capturing system 4 to connect with the storage tube 1 in such a way that only the inner sleeve rim 7 is connected around the first end 2 and the rest of the ball capturing system 4 extends away from the first end 2. The pair of retaining wires 8 is internally connected with the ball capturing system 4 and adjacently positioned with the first edge 5. Additionally, the pair of retaining wires 8 is spaced apart from one another and extends parallel with the first edge 5 and the second edge 6.

In order to collect tennis balls, the users need to simply press ball capturing system 4 over each of the tennis balls from the first edge 5. The space in between the pair of retaining wires 8 enables the tennis balls to squeeze in between the pair of retaining wires 8 so that the tennis balls can be pushed into the storage tube 1 by the users. After the tennis balls are squeezed through the pair of retaining wires 8, the pair of retaining wires 8 also prevents the tennis balls from exiting through the ball capturing system 4 as the tennis balls rest on the pair of retaining wires 8. Since the tennis balls are contained within the storage tube 1 by the pair of retaining wire, the users can easily collect additional tennis balls through the ball capturing system 4 as the stored tennis balls within the storage tube 1 only apply insignificant amount of pressure towards the tennis ball that needs to be collected. The pair of retaining wires 8 is preferably made from steel or any other high strength materials that can withstand the pressure applied from the tennis balls so that the pair of retaining wires 8 does not deform or stretch overtime.

In reference to FIG. 10-FIG. 13, the release cap 9 that contains the stored tennis balls within the storage tube 1 from the second end 3 comprises a lateral wall 10, a base 11, and an inner cap rim 13. Similar to the ball capturing system 4, the release cap 9 is preferably made into a cylindrical shape, where the diameter of the release cap 9 is slightly larger than the diameter of the storage tube 1 so that the release cap 9 is able to attach with the storage tube 1. The release cap 9 is preferably made from high strength and light-weight materials such as plastic, metal, or PVC so that the ball capturing system 4 is able to withstand the constant pressure from the insertion and the removal process of the release cap 9. The lateral wall 10 is perimetrically connected around the base 11, where the base 11 being concentrically positioned within the lateral wall 10. The base 11 and the lateral wall 10 create the main body of the release cap 9. The inner cap rim 13 is traversed into the lateral wall 10 opposite of the base 11 and concentrically positioned with the lateral wall 10 and the base 11. In reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the inner cap rim 13 allows the release cap 9 to removably attach with the storage tube 1 in such a way that only the inner cap rim 13 is attached around the second end 3 and the rest of the release cap 9 extends away from the second end 3. When the release cap 9 is attached with the storage tube 1, the release cap 9 is able to protect the stored tennis balls from rain, dust, or any other outside elements. In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of openings through the lateral wall 10 allows any trapped air within the storage tube 1 to exit when the tennis balls are collected through the ball capturing system 4 so that the users do not have to apply additional pressure.

In order to unload the tennis balls from the storage tube 1, the users need to remove the release cap 9 from the storage tube 1 so that the second end 3 can be opened. Once the second end 3 is opened, the tennis balls can be unloaded from the storage tube 1 as the storage tube 1 is positioned upside down. After the storage tube 1 is completely emptied, the release cap 9 is attached back into the storage tube 1 so that additional tennis balls can be collected through the present invention.

The present invention further comprises a shoulder strap 14 and a pair of hooks 16. In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the shoulder strap 14 is externally connected with the storage tube 1 through a pair of pivotable connectors 15. The shoulder strap 14 allows the users to easily transport the present invention as the present invention can be positioned around upper torso of the users through the shoulder strap 14. The shoulder strap 14 can be made from high strength and flexible materials such as rubber, leather, or synthetic polymers so that the shoulder strap 14 can be easily and comfortably positioned around the upper torso of the users. The release cap 9 is connected with the storage tube 1 through an extension strap 17 as the extension strap 17 extends from the lateral wall 10 to the second end 3. Since the release cap 9 is connected with the storage tube 1 by the extension strap 17, the release cap 9 always positions within the vicinity of the storage tube 1 when the release cap 9 is removed from the second end 3. As a result, the users of the present invention never have to worry about misplacing the release cap 9. In reference to FIG. 3, the pair of hooks 16 is radially extended from the storage tube 1, where the pair of hooks 16 allows the users to hang the present invention in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. For example, the users can hang the present invention in vertical direction using only one hook from the pair of hooks 16 or in horizontal direction using both the pair of hooks 16.

In reference to FIG. 16, a simplified embodiment of the present invention, the ball capturing system 4 is integrated into the first end 2. More specifically, the ball capturing system 4 and the storage tube 1 are combined into a single component, and the pair of hooks 16 is radially extended from the storage tube 1.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tennis ball retrieving apparatus comprises: a storage tube; a ball capturing system; a release cap; the storage tube comprises a first end and a second end; the ball capturing system comprises a first edge, a second edge, an inner sleeve rim, and a pair of retaining wires; the release cap comprises a lateral wall, a base, and an inner cap rim; the ball capturing system being concentrically connected with the storage tube; and the release cap being concentrically attached with the storage tube opposite of the ball capturing system.
 2. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first end and the second end being oppositely positioned from each other along the storage tube.
 3. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first edge and the second edge being oppositely positioned from each other along the ball capturing system; the first edge and the second edge being concentrically positioned with each other; the inner sleeve rim internally traversing into the ball capturing system from the second edge; the inner sleeve rim being concentrically positioned with the second edge; the pair of retaining wires being internally connected with the ball capturing system; the pair of retaining wires being adjacently positioned with the first edge; and the pair of retaining wires being extended parallel with the first edge and the second edge.
 4. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the lateral wall being perimetrically connected around the base; the base being concentrically positioned within the lateral wall; the inner cap rim traversing into the lateral wall opposite of the base; and the inner cap rim being concentrically positioned with the lateral wall.
 5. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the inner sleeve rim being connected around the first end; and the inner cap rim being removably attached around the second end.
 6. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a shoulder strap; and the shoulder strap being connected with the storage tube through a pair of pivotable connectors.
 7. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the ball capturing system being integrated into the first end; and the lateral wall being connected with the second end through an extension strap.
 8. A tennis ball retrieving apparatus comprises: a storage tube; a ball capturing system; a release cap; the storage tube comprises a first end and a second end; the ball capturing system comprises a first edge, a second edge, an inner sleeve rim, and a pair of retaining wires; the release cap comprises a lateral wall, a base, and an inner cap rim; the first edge and the second edge being oppositely positioned from each other along the ball capturing system; the first edge and the second edge being concentrically positioned with each other; the inner sleeve rim internally traversing into the ball capturing system from the second edge; the inner sleeve rim being concentrically positioned with the second edge; the pair of retaining wires being internally connected with the ball capturing system; the pair of retaining wires being adjacently positioned with the first edge; the pair of retaining wires being extended parallel with the first edge and the second edge; the ball capturing system being concentrically connected with the storage tube; and the release cap being concentrically attached with the storage tube opposite of the ball capturing system.
 9. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprises: the first end and the second end being oppositely positioned from each other along the storage tube.
 10. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprises: the lateral wall being perimetrically connected around the base; the base being concentrically positioned within the lateral wall; the inner cap rim traversing into the lateral wall opposite of the base; and the inner cap rim being concentrically positioned with the lateral wall.
 11. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprises: the inner sleeve rim being connected around the first end; and the inner cap rim being removably attached around the second end.
 12. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprises: a shoulder strap; and the shoulder strap being connected with the storage tube through a pair of pivotable connectors.
 13. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprises: the ball capturing system being integrated into the first end; and the lateral wall being connected with the second end through an extension strap.
 14. A tennis ball retrieving apparatus comprises: a storage tube; a ball capturing system; a release cap; the storage tube comprises a first end and a second end; the ball capturing system comprises a first edge, a second edge, an inner sleeve rim, and a pair of retaining wires; the release cap comprises a lateral wall, a base, and an inner cap rim; the lateral wall being perimetrically connected around the base; the base being concentrically positioned within the lateral wall; the inner cap rim traversing into the lateral wall opposite of the base; the inner cap rim being concentrically positioned with the lateral wall; the ball capturing system being concentrically connected with the storage tube; and the release cap being concentrically attached with the storage tube opposite of the ball capturing system.
 15. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 14 comprises: the first end and the second end being oppositely positioned from each other along the storage tube.
 16. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 14 comprises: the first edge and the second edge being oppositely positioned from each other along the ball capturing system; the first edge and the second edge being concentrically positioned with each other; the inner sleeve rim internally traversing into the ball capturing system from the second edge; the inner sleeve rim being concentrically positioned with the second edge; the pair of retaining wires being internally connected with the ball capturing system; the pair of retaining wires being adjacently positioned with the first edge; and the pair of retaining wires being extended parallel with the first edge and the second edge.
 17. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 14 comprises: the inner sleeve rim being connected around the first end; and the inner cap rim being removably attached around the second end.
 18. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 14 comprises: a shoulder strap; and the shoulder strap being connected with the storage tube through a pair of pivotable connectors.
 19. The tennis ball retrieving apparatus as claimed in claim 14 comprises: the ball capturing system being integrated into the first end; and the lateral wall being connected with the second end through an extension strap. 